Butter slicing and dispensing machine



Nov. 14, 1950 w. R. scHARscH 2,529,850

BUTTER SLIC'ING AND DISPENSING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1945 15' Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ZZZ/.Rficbarsch BY m viva-1;,

ATTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1950 w. R. SCHARSCH 2,529,850

BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE h Filed March 29, 1945 l5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 15 w. R Schazzs ch BY 4.22 M

ATTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1950 w. R. SCHARSCH BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 29, 1945 m m w. M L

5 Y E N R O T T A Nov. 14, 1950 w. R. scHARscH BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE l5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 29, 1945 Fxlo. 4

INVENTOR w. R.Sc]:ar.s ch

ATTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1950 w. R. scHARscH 2,529,350

BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1945 v 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Z27. EJ561262 rsch BY Midi/11b ATTORN EYS 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 W. R. SCHARSCH BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE llllllllllllllllll! a INVENTOR w. R.Scl2arsch ATTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1950 Filed March 29, 1945 baa,

15 Sheets-Sheet 7 W. R. SCHARSCH BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE llllllllllllllllllilb Nov. 14, 1950 Filed March 29, 1945 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS m m a m mm RN Wm Nov. 14, 1950 w. R. SCHARSCH 2,529,850

BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE Filed March 29. 1945 v 15 Sheets-Sheet a IIIII/Ill]!!!III/III!IIIIlIIIlIIIlIIIlIl/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIII\I II! I" INVENTOR 5 w. R.Scf2ars c]:

! BY M \TTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1950 w. R. SCHARSCH 2,529,850

BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1945 l5 Sheets-Sheet 9 Flag. 15

INVENTOR Z27. R ,Scbarsch ATTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1950.

W. R. SCHARSCH BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 1o Filed March 29, 1945 5 w 0" 5 O 5 l a 9 L w Q m f M 35 H 5 a INVENTOR 5Z7. R..Sclzarsch ATTORNEYS 1950 w. R. SCHARSCH BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed March 29, 1945 'IY "727155544. m m\ 0 NN\ .WN v n mr INVENTOR (Y). R. Sc/Jarsch m1: Haul;

ATTORNEYS NOV. 14, 1950 w, sc sc 2,529,850

' BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1945 15- Sheets-Sheet l3 INVENTOR CU. R.5c]2arsc]2 BY 1014b ATTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1950 w. R. scHARscH I 2,529,850

BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet l4 INVENTOR ATTOR Ys Nov. 14, 1950 w. R. SCHARSCH I 2,529,850

BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet l5 BY hub ATTORN EYS Patented Nov. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE BUTTER SLICING AND DISPENSING MACHINE Walter R. Scharsch, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application March 29, 1945. Serial No..5s5,447

This invention relates to dispensing machines and particularlyto a machine for slicing and dispensing'butter'. The machine is particularly adapted for use in public eating places Where the butter is sliced and" dispensed to the patrons with "their meals.

Theprimary object of the invention is to produce'ianiachine which will automatically slice thejbutter'into'appropriate sized slices or p'ats, place the same upon individual trays, and then position the trays for handling" by the persons serving the meals and to do" all of this without the necessity of the server in any way'handlin'g the'buttereither' individually or out of receptacles as is; now the common practice.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means whereby any-desired'number of'slices or pats may be cu't'or delivered at one time according to the number of persons being served.

A further object of the invention is to provide in connection with the slicingand dispensing means a refrigerating means forj keepin'g the butter firm until it is ready to be sliced and dispensed; I

A still further object of the invention is to provide a; mechanism which may be readily disassembled for cleaning or repairing.

A firm object of the invention is to render the same" completely automatic and so that all that is necessary for the operator to do to securethe desired number of slices properly dispensed is to press-a key or a-cornbinationof keys adding up to thenumber of slices or pats desired at any onetime.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is aperspective view of the complete machine.

Figure '2 is a side elevation with the casing in section, and showing the bulk butter holding receptacle removed and disposed above the ice compartment and also showing the butter cutting mechanism mounting frame partly wihdrawn.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of said mounting frame and its mechanism shown asdisassociated from the main frame and the enclosing casing, except for that portion sustaining the drive motor.

fFi'gure 4 is a transverse section on line 44 of Fig':- 3. i

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation 12 Claims. (01. 31-6) showing the position of the bulk butter'separating' wire, and the butter advancing plunger and showing the latte'r in the' position it ssumes beforebulkbutter isto be fedinto the butter slicing chamber. V

Figure 6 is a similar view with the plunger ad vanced slightly 'from the position shown in Fig. 5 and showing the release of the screw shaft from the advaneemontrm holding nut. a

Figure '7 is" a sifnilar vie'wto that of Fig 6 but showing the plunger as partly retracted to the butteradvancihg position, and showing thebulk butter separating wire held against movement prior to the dropping of the mass of b'ulkbutter into the butter slicing chamber.

Figure 8' is a-similar view'showing the plunger fully retracted and in position for a butter ad vancing stroke; and with the bulk butter separating wire moving through the mass of bulk butter after the latter has dropped into the butter slicing chamber.

Figure 9 is a similar view showing the-plunger in the position-it assumes as it-advances against the separated pieceof' butter and withthe'latter advanced to slicing position.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross section on line Ill- HI of Fig. 5. H

Figure 11 is a iragmentary cross section on line llll of Fig.7.

Figure l2 is a-fragmentary cross section on l2l2 of Fig. 7 showing the mounting. of the horizontal bulk butter separating wire.

Figure 13 is a sectional plan of the buttercontainer on line I3-- |3 of Fig. 5. V

Figure leis a fragmentary front end View of the butter slicing mechanism and its mounting frame as disass'ociated from the main frame and casing. U

Figure 15 is an elevation of theslicing-w'ire support, detached.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary longitudinal section on line Iii-=16 of Fig. 14. I

Figure 17 is a fragmentarysectional plan on line |l-|'! of Fig. 14'. v

Figure 1815 a side' elevation, partly in section, of the mechanical movement-=controlling'unit of the machine, showing the clutch as disengaged upon the limit of retractive" movement of" the butter engaging plunger.

Figure 19 is a similar view showing the clutch after becoming engaged upon advancing movement of the plunger a predetermined distance from its limit of retractive movement.

I Figure 2051s a top plan view of the unit shown in Fig. 18 with the clutch disengaged.

r Fig. 20.

Figure 22 is a sectional plan of the removable mechanism-mounting frame, taken in substantially the horizontal plane of line 22-22 of Fig. 14.

Figure 23 is a foreshortened longitudinal section on line 2323 of Fig. 22 showing the sliced butter tray feeding means.

Figure 24. is a fragmentary longitudinal section on line 24-24 of Fig. 22.

Figure 25 is a fragmentary side elevation, of the main frame structure of the machine, partly broken away and in section, showing the manual control unit of the machine in an inactive or neutral position.

Figure 26 is a fragmentary side elevation of the finger levers and adjacent cooperating parts, in the same position as in Fig. 25.

Figure 2'7 is a view similar to Fig. 25- showing one finger lever depressed.

Figure 28,.isa view similar to Fig. 26, showing the position of the finger levers relative to their cooperating gears corresponding to Fig. 27.

Figure '29 is a sectional plan online 29-29 of Fig. 25.

Figure 30 is a cross section on line 303I! of Fig. 25.

Figure 31 is a diagram of the electric circuit.

' Figure 32 is a top plan view of the ice box and bulk butter container partly broken out to show the relative 'positionsof the ice and butter compartments therein.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral I provides an outside or main casing and frame unit within which the operating mechanism of the device is enclosed. This frame is rigid in construction and has a base 2 for placement of the machine on a counter, table orother place convenient to its operation.

The frame I at its upper end comprises a compartment 3 topped by a hinged cover 4.

Fixed within the compartment 3 is an ice box comprising an outer wall 5 and a spaced inner wall 5a forming an outer ice compartment 6 and a central compartment 6a. A cover I having a handle 8 is provided for ready insertion over the compartments 6 and 6a.

Arranged to fit snugly within the interior of the compartment 6a is a bulk butter container!) having overhanging flanges II! adapted to en gage the top edge of the inner wall 5a of the icebox in order to properly locate the butter container within the icebox and so that it will properly fit other operating parts of the machine as will hereinafter be described.

The container 9 is preferably rectilinear in cross section and of a size and form to receive one ormore. pieces of butterB which are of like rectilinear form, said pieces being adapted to be fitted into the container in edge to edge relation as shown particularly in Fig. 5. 7

When the butter is in the container, there is a weight II adapted to fit on the top thereof, which weight tends to move the butter downwardly through such container, or if desired a yieldable compression plunger of some type might be used in lieu of the weight.

The interior of the container 9 is formed with aplurality of upstanding inwardly facing ribs I2 against which the sides of the butterpieces slide in order to render the downward movement of the sameeasier than if the sides of such but- 4 ter pieces were in continuous contact with the inside walls of the container.

Immediately below the bottom edge of the container 9 and generally conforming thereto, in transverse cross-sectional dimensions, is a butter cutting chamber I3. (See Figs. 5 and 11). The total cross sectional dimensions of this chamber I3 are substantially equal to the size in which butter is usually sliced into-pats for service. The upper side of the cutting chamber I3 is open and in register with the bottom of the container 9 which is also open.

The chamber I3 is slidably disposed within a sub-frame I4 which in turn is slidably disposed within the bottom portion of the main frame I. Rollers I5 are provided between the bottom of the sub-frame I4 and the main frame so that the sub-frame which carries most of the operating mechanism of the device may be readily inserted into and removed from the main frame for cleaning and repair purposes.

The cutting chamber I3 is guided into position by guide flanges I6 and is removably posi-' tioned within the sub-frame by means of thumb screws I! which. engage between cooperating flanges I8' mounted respectively on the chamber I3 and sub-frame I4.

The forward end of the cutting chamber I3 projects to a point beyond the container 9 and beyond the sub-frame I4 as shown in Fig's.f5,' 8 and 9 so as to provide a cutting edge for cooperation. with a butter slicing wire hereinafter described.

'Mounted within the cutting chamber .I3 and. for longitudinal movement along and through the length thereof, is a-plunger I9. The plunger is provided with a propelling screw '20. The screw 20 at its inner end is provided with a key way 2I engaged by a key 22 on a gear 23 suitably driven from the motor M (see Figs. 3 and 4) in a manner hereinafter described.

Spaced on each side of the chamber I3 are a pair of horizontally disposed rods 24 and 25 respectively, which rods extend the full length of the sub-frame I4.

Slidable on the rods 25 are blocks 26 and interposed between these blocks and the rear ends of the rods 25 are tension springs 21. The blocks 26' are connected with the plunger I9 by a cross bar 28.

Connected to the cross bar 28 by any suitable,

means such as welding orthe like is a divider curtain 29 which is of a width to cover them of the slicing chamber I3 when the plunger is at its forward position as shown best in-Figs. 5 and 6. Said curtain 29 extends horizontally in a plane just above the plane of the top edge of the chamber I3 and then extends under idler rollers 30 to a connection with a tension spring 3| fixed to a bracket 32, preferably extending from the icebox 5. It will be apparent therefore, that when the plunger is on its forward position the curtain '29 separates the open lower-end of the container 9 from the open sideof the slicing chamber I3 and when the plunger is in its retracted position the container9 is in direct open communication with such slicing chamber I3. While the curtain 29 is extended over the chamber I 3, the tension of the spring 3| is sufiicient to hold such curtain taut against the weight of the butter B in the compartment 60., 1

Sliclably mounted on both the rods 25 and .25 are blOCks 33. ,These blocks are disposed forwardly of and engageable by the blocks 25 and.

there is a cutting wire 34 stretched between the;

blockssandl-adapted to move horizontally across the-opentopiofitheslicingchamber l3 with rearward movement'ofl said: blocks 33 ontherods. Tension; springs 35" are interposed between the blocks 33 and the rear end "of the;rods 24.

reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen thatwhen both theblocks ZBand 33' are, held in retracted position by their respective springs 2'! and 35 the blocks 33 arexheld incontact with the: blocks; 26 With forward, movement. of the blocks 25 the blocks 33 will therefore likewise be pushed forward". Whenmthe blocks 33 reach their limit of forward movement they will be engagedandheld irr such forward-position by meansof detents236 pivoted on brackets 31 on the sub-frame I4, the detentsbeing thereafter releasable in a. manner to be hereinafter described. On the inner ends of these detents-v arelinks 38 connected attheir lower endsr below the slicingchamber, l3 by a pin; 39 A tension. spring. 40 is-interposed betweenthe pin 39 and thebottom of the sub-frame and acts to hold the detents in contact with the blocks 33. v

v A short lever 41 is. pivotedat lla below the slicing. chamber l3- and one end thereof is connected with the pin 39 while the other end makes contact through the medium of an adjustment screw 4 2-Witha lip- 13-on atrip plate M. This trip plate is pivoted at:45..below the slicing chamber. l3. acting on the lever 4| the adjustment screw 2 acts on the lip 43 to project the trip plate 44 throughan openingin the bottom of the slicing chamber and to a point slightly above such bottom as shown quite clearly in Figs. 6 and 7. It willibe obvious that a depression of the trip plate i iwill" act on the lever i! to press upwardly 'on the links 38" and release the detents 3'6" from engagement with the blocks 33' whereupon the spring 35wil1 tend to draw said blocks rearwardly along the rods Hand 25.

The motor M is permanently located in the main housing I. It is' operated through the medium' of an electric circuit shown diagrammatically in Fig. 31. In this circuit are three control switch-es, A, D, andC. The location of theseswitches'in the apparatus aretdbe'found asfollows: t Y

- The switch "A-may be observed-in Fig. 2; the

switch- D-in Fig. 3 and'theswitch C in Figs. '25, 2'7 and 30. g g The switch-'A is normally heldclosed by the rear end of the sub-frame I4 when the sub-frameis located in-working pos-itionwithin the main frame I. When thesub-frame M- is withdrawn from'the main frame as indicated in Fig. 2, it

moves-"away fromthe switch A which thereupon operates andopensthe main circuit tothe motor so 'thatthere-will be no opportunity for the motor tostart in. motion when the operating-parts have been withdrawn with the sub-frame,

The motor Mv through suitablegear connections,v not shown, drives; a pulley 15-. Fromuthis pulley dfi-abeltadl drives a pulley 4s. whichis mounted on a shaft 49 journaled in the subfframe Manon; the oppositeend. of. theshaft 49 is a spurgear 50. This spur gear isan intermediate gear which meshes on one side with the gear 23 and; on the other side with a gear 51 rotatably mounted on a shaft 52 journaled in the subframe l l.

On the face of the gear 5: is a clutch 5s. A

cooperating clutch 54 is slidably keyed on the shaft 52. A compression spring 55 is normally interposed between a collar 55. fixedo-n the shaft Under the influence of the spring 52. and the clutchcollar 54 and which; spring tends to hold the clutch collar 54in driving en:- gazgement with the clutch'53i Rotatably mounted'about the clutchcollar'54 is another collar 51; the collars=54 and.151 having flanged:enga-gement with each other atthe rear endthereof as at 58.

A-springpulled'detent 59 is mounted on ,a pin 66, which pin 60'is turnable' through aasuitable fixture 59a mounted in the sub-frame-M. On. the opposite-end of: the pin 60- is a: lever finger. 6| having an upstanding strike lug 62.

Spaced :rea-rwardly of: the: pin" 60 is' another pin EE-turnable in the'same fixture 59a as is the-"pin- 6:6; At its en'd adjacentthe collar 51 thepin 635 the blocks 23 carries; an extension 26a which engages the. strike lugsifi and moves the crank arm 67 rearwardly'a-nd correspondingly moves;

the-crank 311K564 forwardly. The latter then acts on the pin 66' to press the collar 51 forwardly and consequently likewise presses the collar. 54'

forwardly-against the compression of the spring 55 and this disengages the cooperating. clutch elements 54 and 53. Hence, until the: plunger starts forward again, the cooperating part will notbedriven by the gear 5|, since the detent 59' has been pulled by its spring into holding engage.- ment with the collar 51.

This movement of the detent however, has.

brought the strikerlug' 62 into the: path ofv movement of the extension 260.. Consequently when the plunger starts forward again, the extension 2511 engages the strike lug 62 and turns the detent on its pivot pin '60. This releases the detent from the collar 51 and the spring 55 whereupon returns the clutches 54 and 53 intodriving relatiom The forward and-retractive movement of the plunger [9 is imparted by movement of the gear 23; acting through its keyed connection with the screw 20 in cooperation with a fixed half-nut,

69 which is interiorly threaded for threaded engagement with the threads of the screw 20.

This half-nut 69 is mounted for vertical sliding movement onupstanding pins 10 suitably mounted on the sub-frame l4 and between the frame and the half-nut are springs H tending to push the half-nut upwardly to carry its threads out'of engagementwith the threads of the screw.

A pivoted spring pulled detent 12 engages the half-nut to hold its threads into register with the threads of the screw 20 during the period of desired forward movement of the plunger, l9 so that as the screw 2!! is rotated by the gear 23,

such threaded engagement of the same with the.

half-nut 59 will advance the screw 20 and plunger E9 in aforward direction.

When the desired limit of forward movement of the plunger I!) has been reached, a strike lug- 53 carried on a bracket 4 fixed to the rear end of the screw why an arm 74a bolted to the endof' the screw will engage the detent 12 and swingit on; its pivot and out of engagement with the half-nut 69. Thereupon the springs II will push the half -nut 69 out of threaded engagement with the screw 20. With the forward movement of the plunger I9, the blocks 26 and the blocks 33 can move forwardly and extend the springs 21 and 35 into tension. Consequently when the half-nut is relieved of threaded engagement with the screw 20, the springs 21 acting on the blocks 26 immediatel pull the plunger I9 backward to retracted position, the ke way 2| and key 22 allowing of this action.

'As the plunger I9 moves backward, the curtain 29 is pulled by the spring 3I and clears the space between the container 9 and the cutting chamber Just as the plunger I9 reaches its most retracted position, a cam surface I5 on the inside of the plunger engages a cooperating cam surface I6 on the half-nut 69. the half-nut 69 into threaded engagement with the threads of the screw 29. With the retractive movement of the plunger the frame I4 and strike lug 13 have been drawn out of engagement with the detent I2 and the spring 72a thereof then pulls such detent back into holding engagement with the half-nut 69.

The space between the container 9 and the cutting chamber I3 having been thus opened, the bulk butter B in the container 9 is pressed down by the .weight II so that such butter projects fromthe container 9 into the chamber I3.

.The weight of this butter presses on the trip plate 44 causing the lip 43 to engage the element 421 and swing the lever.4I about its pivot Ma. The action of this lever forces the links 38 upward and thisaction releases the detents 36 from engagement with the blocks 33.

Thereupon the springs which are under tension, pull the blocks 33 backwardly along the rods 24 and 25. This action pulls the cutting wire 34 through the bulk butter B projecting from the container 9 into the chamber I3 and cuts, and leaves a segment thereof in the chamber As will be noted the chamber I3 projects forwardly beyond the container 9 and in order to bring the segment of butter thus cut out to a position immediately adjacent the forward end of the chamber I3 so that it will be sliced and to do this without bringing the slicing mechanism into operation, it is necessary that the plunger 19 independently advance such segment to this'position before the slicing and dispensing mechanism is called into play. This short advancing movement of the segment is accomplished in the following manner:

The switch D in the motor circuit (see Fig. 3) is normally an open switch. When however, the blocks 33 move backward as described above, a slide bar I1 rides on the switch lever I8 and closes the switch D and starts the motor. The length of the bar TI is such that the motor remains in operation just long enough to cause the plunger to engage and move the cut butter sections to a position immediatel adjacent the forward end-of the chamber I3. Thereupon the slide 'll leaves the switch lever I8 and the switch D again opens and stops the motor. The butter segment is now in positionto-be advanced progressively for the slicing operation in the manner which will presently be described.

The distance'between the strike lugs 68 and 62 is such that when the plunger I9 has made the short forward movement described immediately This again presses above, the extension 26a of the blocks 26 have been moved from engagementwith the strike lug 68 into engagement with the strike lug 62.

The engagement of the two latter elements functions to cause the lever finger 6| to rotate the pin 60 and then turn the detent 59 out of engagement with the collar 51. Thereupon the spring 55 forces the clutch collar 54 into engagement with the clutch 53 so that the gear 5| is then in driving relation with the shaft 52.

At this time both the switches C and D are open so that the motor is not running and there is no driving of the shaft 52 until the motor is energized for the butter slicing operation as will be described;

On the outer end of the shaft 52 is fixed a counter weighted gear rack I9 which with the rotation of the shaft 52 intermittently drives a small gear 80. The gear 89 is driven one com plete revolution with one complete revolution of the shaft 52 accompanied by a complete corresponding revolution of the rack 19. The gear is journaled in the sub-frame I4 adjacent and outside of one upper corner of the chamber I3. Fixed to said gear is a quadrant 8| having a finger 82 normally engaging a snap spring 83 to hold the gear and quadrant in fixed position during the free movement of the rack I9.

The side of the quadrant 8| which lies immediately above the chamber I3 when the quadrant is quiescent comprises a slicing wire 84. When the quadrant 8I is moved one complete revolution with the revolution of the gear 89,

this slicing wire cuts through any portion of the butter segment which protrudes beyond the open end of the chamber I3, such cut portion comprising the slice of butter to be dispensed.

The butter segment in the chamber I3 may be progressively advanced to provide for the cutting off any selected number of butter slices at any one operation and this number may be. determined by the operator of the machine through the medium of certain control mechanism which will now be described.

Mounted in the main frame I are a selected number of key levers 85 having the key portions 86 thereof protruding outwardly throughthe front of the main frame I. (See Figs. 1 and 25-30 inclusive). These levers are held in normal position by pull springs 81 and the extent of movement of the levers is determined by the setting of set screws 88.

The movement of these levers functions to determine the amount of movement of the plunger I9 to progressively move the butter segment in the chamber I3 beyond the open end of such chamber according to the number of slices to be cut in any given operation. The desired number of slices which can be determined through the manipulation of the levers 85 is indicated by numbers on the key portions of such levers as shown in Fig. 1. In this figure I have shown three of the finger portions. Each of these can be set to allow a different number of slices to be selected and as shown in the particular machine here disclosed. Any number of slices up to fifteen may be selected. This can be done by striking the key portions one after the other to total up to the desired number of slices. No two finger portions should be struck simultane ously. Since the operation of these slicing control levers is identical other than for multiplying the number of slices to be selected, I will de- .9 scribe the operation of but onelever and it will be understood that the others all operate according to the same principle.

When no slicing is being carried out, the switch .0 is normally held open b means of a strike lug 89 mounted on a wheel 90. This wheel 90 is mounted for free rotation on a shaft 9 I. It has a projecting stop finger 92 which is normally held against a stop pin 93 by means of a coiled tension spring 94. This spring 94 is fixed at its inner end to part of the frame work of the main frame I as at 9.5 and at its other endis fixed at the inner periphery of the wheel 90 as at 96. When thus held inits normal position the strike lug 89 is engaged with aswitch button 9.1 of the switch and the switch is open. and the motor M is not running.

Fixed to the wheel 90 is a sleeve 98 which is turnable on the shaft 9|. I On the sleeve 98 are a number of small gears 99, one for each lever 85. On the inner end of each lever 85 is a gear rack I00, each of such racks being adapted to engage a corresponding gear 99 but being normally held out of engagement therewith by the action of the springs 81. The gear teeth on each gear rack correspond to thewnumber of slices which may be selected by the depression of one of the finger portions 86.

Upon a depression of one of the finger portions 86 the corresponding lever carries its gear rack into engagement with the corresponding gear 99 and rotates that gear and the wheel 90 a distance permitted by the extent of gear engagement and consequently turns the wheel 90 the same distance and places the spring 94 under tension.

Fixed on the end of the sleeve 98 opposite that end on which the wheel 90 is disposed is a ratchet wheel IOI having equally spaced ratchet teeth I02 thereon. A lever I03 is pivotally mounted on a portion of the main frame I and carries a spring pulled detent I04 which progressively engages the ratchet teeth I02 with the rotation of the wheel 90 and consequently the ratchet wheel IN and holds the wheel 90 against retractive movement except as the ratchet teeth are progressively released from the detent through operation of the lever I03.

The release of each ratchet tooth iseffected upon the completion of the cutting of a slice of butter at the end of the chamber I3 as will appear.

When the wheel .90 is rotated with the rot-ation of one of the gears 99 the strike lug89 is of course, carried out of engagement with the switch button 91 and the switch C opens and the motor starts. This drives the gear 23 to advance the plunger I9 in the manner described, and this advancement of the plunger I9 moves the butter forwardly out of the chamber I3.

synchronously with the movement of the plunger the gear drives the shaft 52 and with each revolution of each shaft the cutting wire 84 cuts off a slice of butter. I

With each revolution of the shaft 52 a cam .I 05 which is fixed to said shaft engages the free end of the lever I 03 and operates it to release the detent I04 from one of the ratchet teeth I02. As soon as one tooth is released the spring I04a pulls the lever back so that .the detentgIM catches th next ratchet tooth. Thus when a number of slices of butter have been out which correspond to the number of ratchet teeth advanced beyond the detent I'04' the strike lug 89 has been returned "tively wide diameter.

by the spring 94 into engagement with the switch button 91. This opens the switch G and stops the motor. With the retractive movement of the wheel 90, the gear 99 which has been engaged to cause the forward action re-meshes with the gear rack I00 which had initiated the movement and carries it and the corresponding lever 85 back to initial position.

Fixed to the shaft 52 .(see'Figs. 2, 3, l8, -l9sand 20), is a gear I 99. This gear meshes with another. gear I6; ona shaft IfISsuitably journaled in the sub-frame I4. Onthe bottom of the shaft I98 is a sprocket wheel I09'conn1ectedby a'chain H9 with another sprocket gear "III journaled near the forward end of ;the sub-frame I4 and mounted on which is a turn table N2 of rela- This turn table projects forwardly of and below the open front end of the cutting chamber I 3.

This turn table H2 is adapted to carry butter plates II3 progressively and in single file below the open end of the butter chamber I3 so that one plate will move adjacent thereto as each butter slice is cut so that the slice will fall into the-plate. An elongated channel I I4 is provided in the bottom of the sub-frame I4 and extends from end to end thereof and is adapted to receive a stack or package II5 of the butter plates II3. -When in the channel II4 the stack H5 is held by a spring press follower I I6 againsta spring holding lip Ii! adjacent the front open end of the channel 529.

A gear H8 is fixed on the shaft 52 and drives another gear II9 on a shaft I20. On a shaft 52%! is mounted a picker cam finger I2I which rotates in timed relation with the butter slicing quadrant to pick off a plate II3 from the stack IISand deposit it on the turn table I I2 which carries it to a position immediately below the open end of the chamber IS'Where it catches the slice of butter as it falls.

The continued rotation of the turn table II2 then carries the plate with the butter slices on it to .a dispensing counter I22 which has a feathered edge I23 mounted in close engagement with the top surface of the turn table II.2 whereby as the butter plate II3 reaches that point it will slide up and on to the dispensing counter I22, each plate progressively moving those ahead of it along the counter. From the counter I22 the operator may remove the plates with the butter thereon and dispense themas desired. 1 I

The cycles of operation described .above will be repeated of course each time one of the finger portions 8% is depressed, the machine running until the desired number of slices are cut and dispensed and then stopping. j v

Since the sub-frame I4 is'removable from the main frame I for the purpose of cleaningand repair, and carries some of the electrical wiring, it is necessary to provide conventional make and break plug sockets between the two. For illustration, these are shown at F, Fig. 31. v i

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has beenproduced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device,

still in practice such. deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from .the spirit of the invention, as defined in the a ended claims. 

